the
War News —
Butler sending troops down the
River — skirmishing in
Hanover — official Dispatch from
Gen. Jo. Johnston--capture of a Newspaper correspondent — his dispatches.&c.
All remains quiet on the
Southside.
An official dispatch received at the War Department yesterday states that
Butler is sending troops down the river in transports.
This is supposed to be for the purpose of reinforcing
Grant, since there is no evidence of any intention to evacuate
Bermuda Hundred.
It is stated that the enemy have felled the woods in the vicinity of Marius Gilliam's farm, in
Chesterfield county, in order to command an unobstructed view of the opposite bank of
James river.
Some skirmishing took place along the lines yesterday, chiefly in front of
Stratford's and the old Stonewall brigade.
Our casualties are reported to have been about twenty five wounded. Some cannonading was heard during the day, the cause of which has not been ascertained.
The reports are that
Grant proposes to make the
White House, on the
Pamunkey, his base, but the general impression is that a great battle will be fought before his preparations can be completed.
It is reported that the two armies were drawn up in line of battle yesterday, and that
Grant is entrenching.
Since the death of that gallant cavalier,
General J. F. B. Stuart, the cavalry in the Army of Northern Virginia has been apparously without a leader.
We are gratified to learn that a dashing officer has been temporarily assigned to the command of these troops, who will doubtless lead them on to fresh deeds of glory.
An official dispatch from
General Joseph E
Johnston confirms the account of
General Cleburne's success on the 28th instant, given by the
Associated Press correspondent, and published yesterday.
General Johnston's dispatch is in nearly the same words as the press accounts, and it is unnecessary to repeat it. The public will be gratified at the official confirmation of this news, which is happy omen of our prospects in
Northern Georgia.
The Trans Mississippi Department.
We understand that the orders of General
Smith have been received in
Richmond, fully confirming our succession of victories in the Trans Mississippi Department.
Capture of a correspondent of the New York world.--Development of the enemy's Plans.
Our pickets at
Tunstall's Station, on the York River Railroad, yesterday morning captured
R. B. Francis, a correspondent of the New York
World, who was on his way to the
White House, under the impression that
Gen. Baldy Smith had reached that point from the
Southside.
He had in his possession a number of letters, and his dispatches for the
World, which we are enabled to lay before our readers in advance of their publication in that paper.
One of the letters stated that
Sedgwick's corps started in the campaign with 30,000 men, and is now reduced to 12,000.
The writer expresses his pleasure that
Grant is now going to try a little of his strategy, after "butting" uselessly against the enemy's fortifications.
The
World's correspondent was brought to
Richmond and placed in Castle Thunder.
On his arrival at that institution he sent for an officer of the prison, and told him that he was
Mr. Francis, late of
Gen. Grant's army; that he unfortunately ran into our picket line at
Tunstall's, and was captured; and that he expected to have the honor of remaining his guest for some time to come.
The officer, as a matter of course, expressed his pleasure at having so "distinguished" a visitor.
The following are the dispatches to the
World.
The flank movement of the 6th corps, on the enemy's left, yesterday morning, was a complete success.
They struck the Central Railroad about three miles above
Saxton's Function, drove in the pickets and destroyed eight miles of the railroad--two miles below and two miles above Noel Station.
A number of prisoners were captured, and among them a woman dressed in male attire, who states that she has been in the Army of Northern Virginia for three years, serving in a battery.
The 1st division of the 6th corps left its position this morning, and is now preparing and will at once carry out a new and important movement.
Long before this dispatch will have reached your readers, the 1st division of the 6th corps will have crossed the
Pamunkey river at Hanover Town.
A large force of cavalry is in advance, accompanying the pontoon trains.
This rapid succession of flank movements is destined to accomplish great results; has hitherto been quite a success, is affecting the
morale of the rebel army, and must soon bring us to the outer line of the defences of
Richmond.
Hanover Town is about fifteen miles from
Richmond, and about the same distance from the
White House, the road to which place from
Hanover crosses the Richmond and York River Railroad at
Tunstall's Station.
[This is the exact route taken by the luckless correspondent.
His second dispatch is as follows:]
Hanover Ford, South side of Pamunkey River.
Headq'rs 1st division 6th corps,
May 27th, 1864--12 Noon.
By an admirably executed march
General Russell has succeeded in placing the 1st Division of the 6th Corps on the south side of the
Pamunkey river.
Leading the column, be commenced to march at 8 P. M., and with a rest of two hours for breakfast, kept his men steadily to work.
Some hours preceding the march of the column
General Sheridan was ordered to reconnoitre in force — to hold the road for the advance of infantry, and accompany the pontoon train.
He has accomplished this with the 1st and 2d Divisions. Two postoon bridges are already 1 held at Hanover Town.
The 5th corps will follow the 6th.
Hanover Town consists of some three or four old farm houses.
The enemy did not defend the laying of the pontoons.
A few pickets made a slight demonstration and immediately retired.
It is ascertained that
Breckinridge's command is at
Hanover Junction, probably ten or twelve thousand strong, and that a strong force of cavalry is at
Atlee's.
Our cavalry in force, under the command of
Col. Gregg, with one battery of flying artillery, made a reconnaissance this morning in the direction of the
White House, which is about sixteen miles distant. They have not yet returned.
It is ascertained that Gen. Smith is at the White House.
[In the following dispatch the correspondent describes the fight at Haw's Shop, on Saturday, in which he does not claim much of a victory — the
Yankee loss far exceeding ours.
He also makes important developments of
Grant's plan of operations:]
Hanover Ferry
South of the Pamunkey,
May 28th, 1864.
The 1st and 2d divisions of cavalry made a reconnaissance in force to-day.
The 2d division,
Gen. Gregg, encountered a strong force of the enemy's cavalry about five miles north of Hanover Court-House.
It consisted of troops from
South Carolina, and formed a part of
Butler's command.
The enemy were dismounted, and had selected a most advantageous position, under the cover of thick woods, from which it was extremely difficult to drive them or draw them out. The whole of the 1st division and part of the 2d were engaged.
The regiments which were the first attacked, and which suffered the most severely, are the following: 1st brigade, 2d division--1st Massachusetts. 1st New Jersey, 1st Pennsylvania and 6th Ohio.
A partial list of casualties is enclosed.
The entire number of killed and wounded will probably be about 300, and there will be amongst them a considerable number of commissioned officers.
The enemy had a number of guns and fought obstinately for four hours, but subsequently fell back about two miles.
The 1st and 2d divisions of cavalry are in line to night at our front, but will soon be relieved by infantry.
The entire army is south of the Pamunkey.
It is understood that the line to the White House will be open to-morrow. Your correspondent hoped to have been there this evening, but the column he was with was attacked, and
Gen. Gregg did not get through.
[We propose to give to morrow some extracts from the letters found upon the person of the prisoner — so far as they relate to the movements of
Grant's army.]
